FROM THE VIRTUAL DESK OF THE OU VEBBE REBBE RAV DANIEL MANN

an expression of Hashem’s affection for The Son of one who choses to embrace a challenging path to serving Him to the fullest. A a Convert midrash (Shochar Tov 146:9) describes it beautifully with a mashal of a king who Feeling Looked had special love for a deer that would follow his flock to their pen even though Down Upon it is naturally undomesticated. Potentially offensive sources are centered Question: My father converted (his in two areas. Rav Yehuda Halevi (The mother was not Jewish). I have struggled Kuzari) speaks of certain special spiritual with my identity due to what I have read qualities that come from a Jew’s lineage, in the Kuzari, Maharal and Kabbalistic and as a descendant of the forefathers. Not Chassidic works, which seem to view gerim all agree. Some (Rav Soloveitchik, Al as lesser than born Jews. Does Hateshuva, p. 136; Rav Kook) posit that a ger view someone like me as somewhat receives all he needs, including connection defective? to the forefathers, by joining the Jewish people through conversion (see Shulchan Answer: You are wise to seek information Aruch, Orach Chayim 53:19). Some posit and perspective to overcome natural that gerim have Jewish-typical “neshamot,” feelings, which the gemara (Sanhedrin just that they entered the world in a 94a) foresaw for some descendants of manner that required them to find their gerim to have about their identity for generations. (Mentors should ensure that Arthur Samuels, DPM conversion candidates consider such things). However, objectively, this ignores PODIATRIST the 98+% “full part of the cup.” Over 30 years experience

The commands 36 times to treat 053-­‐427-­‐6363 a ger with love and not harm him (Bava Metzia 59b). This is partly because [email protected] the average ger has social obstacles to overcome, after leaving family and needing to “learn the ropes.” It is also CINEMA CITY MALL,

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The Orthodox Union - via its website - fields questions of all types in areas of kashrut, Jewish law and values. Some of them are answered by Eretz Hemdah, the Institute for Advanced , Jerusalem, headed by Rav Yosef Carmel and Rav Moshe Ehrenreich, founded by HaRav Shaul Yisraeli zt”l, to prepare rabbanim and dayanim to serve the National Religious community in Israel and abroad. Ask the Rabbi is ajoint venture of the OU, Yerushalayim Network, Eretz Hemdah... and OU Israel’s Torah Tidbits.

way back (Maharal, Tiferet Yisrael 1). The Second Temple). Also, there is likely, due to gemara (Shabbat 146a) indeed says that poor middot, to be fall-out from a convert converts’ souls were present at Sinai and exerting dominion over a born-Jew (see were thus awarded the relevant spiritual Sota 43a). This is not only hurtful, but gains. (It is unnecessary to be as genetically can also include aspersions on the ger’s Jewish as you, but it does not hurt.) motives (see Yevamot 24b).

The Kuzari (I:115) says that while a ger In all regards, when a ger marries into draws close to Hashem, he will not be Jewish society, no limitations apply to a prophet (the Rambam disagrees; the his offspring (Kiddushin 76b). Actually, gemara, Sanhderin 39b, says the prophet King David did not come from the giyoret Ovadia was a ger). The Kuzari posits that a Ruth by chance; this was a crucial part ger cannot make it to the highest pinnacle. of the divine plan (see Bava Kama 38b; But we do not even have prophets now, Assufot Ma’arachot, Bereishit I, p. 204.) and there have only been a few handfuls Unkelos was a ger; Shmaya and Avtalion of prophets! Should I feel lacking that I came from gerim, ... (Gittin 57b). A sincere can never have the kedusha of a kohen?! convert’s expectation should be: Hashem By exceeding expectations, a sincere, and upstanding Jews will love and revere observant convert likely reaches a higher you greatly – you deserve it. But expect level than a (clear) majority of born-Jews. time for adjustment in some aspects of life. (Of course, the whole premise of the Kuzari Members of the next generation should is highly pro-geirut!) and usually do feel on equal footing with their peers. This is the mainstream Torah A ger has limitations on positions of power approach, consistent with Halacha and (especially, being king – Kiddushin 76b). basic sources. While one could attribute this halacha to the Kuzari approach, there are indications of other reasons (see Yevamot 102a): Given a percentage of insincere converts (see Having a dispute? Rambam, Issurei Biah 13:18), we are to For a Din Torah in English or protect ourselves from giving too much Hebrew contact ‘Eretz Hemdah power before we can confirm a newcomer’s - Gazit’ Rabbinical Court: 077- loyalty (note, the US Constitution disallows 215-8-215 • fax: (02) 537-9626 a naturalized citizen to be president; [email protected] the Jews suffered from such kings in the

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